Success Stories

At RCC, our graduates make us proud

RCC grads enter every field of industry, go on to great things, and some even make history:

International Student Makes U.S. Military History

Captain Charles L. Stuppard ’80 made US military history from 2010-2013 as the only Naval Officer in command of both a Navy and an Army base – Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, VA, home of the Navy SEALS and one of only 12 Joint Bases in the nation.

Dr. Stuppard, who earned a PhD from Salve Regina University, currently serves as a Military Professor in National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College, where he received a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He served from 2013-2014 as Chief of the US Naval Forces Division in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he trained, mentored and advised the Saudi leadership in naval matters, and was responsible for a $20 billion budget.

Born in Haiti, Dr. Stuppard immigrated to the US when he was 19. RCC was his first public education. He cited the strong influence of his RCC professors on his future career path: “The impact of educators on the lives of students lasts a lifetime.” After earning an associate’s degree in Engineering Science from RCC, he transferred to Cornell, where he obtained his degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He joined the Navy in 1985 as an aviation officer candidate after designing airplanes for the Air Force.

Dr. Stuppard’s assignments have included tours as commander in Kuwait of a force of 10,000 sailors fighting the global war on terrorism, and commanding officer of the USS Arleigh Burke in the Mediterranean Sea, conducting Operation Active Endeavor to prevent terrorist operations.